1943 Was Most Successful Year in History of Jewish Fund Raising in America

The Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds today reported that 1943 was the most successful year for fund-raising campaigns in the history of the Jewish welfare fund movement in the United States.

“While all figures are not yet in, available reports indicate that a great majority of the Spring campaigns for national and overseas Jewish needs will surpass their 1943 goals–in many instances considerably higher than 1942 accomplishments–by wide margins,” the report of the Council stated.

Of 41 communities reporting their final figures to the Council, all but six equalled or surpassed their goals which were uniformly higher than those set a year ago. These campaigns raised collectively 25.2 percent more than last year.

Sixty-seven other communities, still incomplete, have already raised a total of $6,390,017 against a final 1942 figure of $5,160,912, a gain of 23.8 percent. A statement issued by the United Jewish Appeal said that 92 percent of the completed campaigns have exceeded their 1942 accomplishments. The upward trend was evident in small, intermediate and large communities.

One of the Spring pace-setters was Newark, N.J., which has raised $525,000 with some cards still out. Newark raised $404,424 in 1942 and $225,786 in 1941, about one-half the present result. Arkon, O., showed a 43 percent increase, raising $127,000 against $88,645 last year. Baltimore enjoyed a 17 percent boost, winding up with $440,000 against $376,408 in 1942. Cleveland, still incomplete, has secured $890,000 against a 1942 total of $775,510.

“All reports indicate that the combination of more money available and less goods on the market was one of the prime factors in the welfare fund campaigns,” the Council report says. “This was true also of the Red Cross, war chest and other fund-raising drives. Equally important as far as the Jewish campaigns were concerned was the increased awareness on the part of local Jewish communities of the Jewish picture overseas.”